BK Big Fish March 3rd -5th, Awards dinner March 6th Register Now at fishcayman.com or in person at GTYC on 2nd March, 6pm Over $60,000 in cash and prizes to be won with giveaways for all participants! @bkbigfish @Caymanbkbigfish Follow us for all the updates cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 27 January – 2 February 2023 Campaigners lament lack of resources for dementia sufferers Page 3 National Heroes Day honours volunteers and charities Page 6 Vaccine raffle breaches data protection rules Page 14Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. A MAN CALLED OTTO (PG-13) (FRI & WED) 3:20 VIP | 10:15 (SAT) 12:40 VIP | 3:25 VIP | 6:35 | 10:20 (SUN) 3:25 VIP | 6:35 | 7:00 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:20 (MON, TUES & THURS) 3:20 VIP | 6:35 | 10:15 AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (PG-13) (FRI, MON & THURS) 3:15 | 3:30 3D VIP | 7:15 | 7:30 3D VIP (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 12:35 | 3:20 | 3:35 3D VIP | 7:20 | 7:35 3D VIP (SUN) 3:20 | 3:35 3D VIP | 7:20 | 7:35 3D VIP (TUES) 3:15 | 4:00 VIP | 7:15 | 8:00 VIP (WED) 3:30 3D VIP | 7:30 3D VIP BILLIE EILISH: LIVE AT THE O2 (EXTENDED CUT) (PG-13) (FRI) 7:00 BTS: YET TO COME IN CINEMAS (PG) (WED) 7:00 GANDHI GODSE EK YUDH (PG) (FRI, MON-THURS) 7:00 (SAT) 1:05 | 7:05 (SUN) 3:35 | 7:05 | 9:30 HOUSE PARTY (R) (FRI, MON-THURS) 4:00 | 7:45 VIP | 9:35 | 10:15 VIP (SAT) 12:55 VIP | 12:55 | 4:05 | 7:50 VIP | 9:40 | 10:20 VIP PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH (PG) (FRI, MON -THURS) 4:40 (SAT) 12:50 | 4:35 (SUN) 4:35 THE FABELMANS (PG-13) (FRI, MON, WED & THURS) 3:20 | 4:25 VIP | 6:25 VIP | 6:40 | 9:45 VIP | 10:00 (SAT) 3:25 | 4:30 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 | 9:50 VIP | 10:05 (SUN) 3:15 VIP | 3:25 | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 | 9:50 VIP | 10:05 (TUES) 3:20 | 4:25 VIP | 6:40 | 9:50 VIP | 10:00 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KIDS CLUB MONSTERS SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) KIDS CLUB MOANA SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) HOT FUZZ TUESDAY 7PM VIP (R) CLASSICS FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers. SEA STATE Moderate with a wave height of 3 to 5 feet. WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots. 86°F HIGH 75°F LOW US visitor dies while snorkelling off South Church Street A US visitor was pronounced dead on Wednesday, 25 Jan., after he was found unresponsive in the water. The visitor – who had been snorkelling – is Cayman’s first water-related death of 2023. Police, in a statement on 25 Jan., confirmed the death. No further details were released regarding the victim’s identity. The incident happened shortly after 11:30am, when officers responded to a report that a man was found unresponsive in the water off Don Foster’s Dive on South Church Street. Police said the Cayman Islands Coast Guard and other emergency services attended the scene and the Coast Guard vessel was able to locate the man and transport him to shore. He was taken by ambulance to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. Mega cruise ship hit by engine trouble after leaving Cayman Mega cruise ship MSC Seascape cancelled the remainder of its itinerary last week after departing Grand Cayman on 19 Jan., citing engine troubles. Seascape, among the first large capacity cruise ships to visit Cayman, was late docking here that day, eventually arriving after 2pm. Field Sutton, director of communications at MSC Cruise (USA), in an emailed response to Cayman Compass, said MSC Seascape experienced a technical issue with one of its engines. “Though there’s no impact to guest and crew safety or onboard operations, the issue limits the ship’s maximum speed,” the statement said. The engine trouble had delayed the ship arriving at Grand Cayman “and continuing on the existing schedule to Ocho Rios prior to returning to Miami would not have been possible,” Sutton explained. MSC Seascape, which launched in December 2022, is touted in a media release on the ship, as “one of the more environmentally advanced cruise ships at sea, featuring a wide range of latest generation environmental technologies and solutions”. The “world’s newest cruise ship,” it was “one of the largest cruise ships ever to dock in Manhattan”, at more than 170,000 gross tons with a capacity of 5,877 guests, the statement said. The ship departed New York on 8 Dec. 2022 en route to Miami, where she offered two different seven-night itineraries for her “inaugural season in the Caribbean”. Bodden sisters honoured for community service Cayman’s well-known siblings, twins Maureen and Maxine Bodden and sister Pansy Anderson, were all honoured over the weekend of 21 Jan. by the Lions Club of Grand Cayman for their contribution to the community. The trio, known for their community service, as well as the beautiful Christmas displays at their South Church Street home, were awarded the Melvin Jones Award from the club on Saturday, 21 Jan., at Grand Old House. The sisters, all of whom are part of the family-run business group Bodden Holdings, expressed gratitude at being recognised by the club. “It was an honour to receive our plaques at such a beautiful and informative affair. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the luncheon. We have always supported and will continue to support the Lions Clubs in the Cayman Islands,” the sisters said in a written comment to the Compass. The presentation was made at the club’s annual luncheon which is held to celebrate Lions Club International founder Melvin Jones and honour members of the community and the club in recognition of their meritorious service. Gilbert McLean takes over NRA board Former legislator Gilbert McLean has been appointed as the new chairman of the board at National Roads Authority, according to a recently gazetted government notice. McLean, who is also the chairman of University College of the Cayman Islands board of governors, replaces former chairman Alric Lindsay who resigned last year from the NRA board, as well from as the Grand Cayman Liquor Licensing Board and the OfReg board. McLean’s appointment was made in Cabinet on 17 Jan. and is effective for three years, through 31 Dec. 2025. news in brief The MSC Seascape anchored next to Norwegian Prima in George Town on 19 Jan. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay Siblings, twins Maureen and Maxine Bodden and sister Pansy Anderson, were honoured by the Lions Club of Grand Cayman for their community service. - Photo: Submitted cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky A regional campaign by Alzheimer’s Disease International is calling attention to a lack of resources and funding to tackle growing cases of dementia across the Caribbean, including in the Cayman Islands. The organisation, quoting a study published in The Lancet health magazine, says cases of dementia in the Caribbean are forecast to increase by 155% - from 300,000 cases today to 750,000 - by 2050. The exact number of people in Cayman living with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia is unknown. “We basically don’t have a lot of data in Cayman regarding the prevalence of dementia,” said Dorothy Davis, who chairs the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association of the Cayman Islands. She added that while statistics are collected from the Health Services Authority and some local clinics, not every medical provider supplies data regarding patients with dementia. According to the HSA statistics released by the Ministry of Health in 2021, there were 1,053 people in Cayman diagnosed with dementia, the majority of whom had Alzheimer’s. Davis said there has been an uptick in diagnoses locally, and around the world, since the start of the COVID pandemic, which she suspects could be related to people spending more time at home with family members during lockdowns and noticing their behaviour, and taking them to the doctor to be checked. Need for care facility She and her organisation have been calling for a day-care facility to be set up in Cayman to help care for individuals suffering from dementia. One local family who would benefit from such a facility is Ian Haughton, who has Alzheimer’s, and his wife and sole caregiver Jaysee Taylor Downs. Haughton was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 55, the press release from the ADI noted. The former project manager of a large construction company, he was the main breadwinner for his family while he could still work. “Now due to him not being able to work, I am now working two jobs to make ends meet,” his wife said in the release. “At times I have to leave Ian alone as I do not have and cannot afford a caregiver for him. From time to time, I have the help of my brothers who themselves have their own work. Ian is just so bored and frustrated about being left alone and not being able to come outdoors as we live on the third floor of an apartment building. “The Cayman Islands is in need of day-care facilities that persons with dementia can go to engage in activities and meet other persons who are going through the same issues as themselves.” More education Davis acknowledged that while Cayman has made great strides in educating the community that dementia does not only affect older people, but says much more needs to be done. “Many activities are centred around seniors; that, of course, excludes many persons like Ian living with dementia,” she said. “One of the long-term goals of ADACI is to have a facility that will provide activities for persons with early to moderate dementia. We will only be able to achieve this with the help of corporate sponsorship or our government and a National Dementia Plan.” She added that her organisation currently has more people seeking help and support from ADACI that it can provide, as it has limited funding available. There is also a shortage of medical staff specifically trained to deal with patients with dementia in Cayman, Davis said. Training is also needed by police and first responders, so they can recognise typical symptoms of the illness and know how to de-escalate situations and calm down sufferers who may be acting violently or irrationally, she said. A call for national dementia plans Alzheimer’s Disease International and its members in the region are organising the ‘What’s Your Plan’ campaign to raise awareness of dementia and the need for national dementia plans to improve the lives of those living with the condition, and their carers. According to data collected by Alzheimer’s Disease International, only 16% of Caribbean countries and territories have so far implemented a national dementia plan. Cayman does not have such a plan. Davis said that in 2017 the Cayman Islands committed to a World Health Organization initiative to develop national dementia plans across the Caribbean by 2025, but it does not appear as though any work on these initiatives have gone ahead locally. The Compass has reached out to the Ministry for Health and Wellness for comment and is awaiting a response. According to the World Health Organization, dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally, and the third in the Americas. In a press release issued this week, Alzheimer’s Disease International called for members of the public across the Caribbean “to urge their governments to take urgent action on dementia”. It has teamed up with Alzheimer’s associations in Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago to launch its campaign. The organisation noted that while a few countries in the region, such as the Dominican Republic and Cuba, have implemented national dementia plans, most are without adequate funding. Paola Barbarino, CEO of the organisation, says developing, funding, and implementing these plans is essential to improving health outcomes for people living in the Caribbean with dementia. Access to support “A National Dementia Plan is a vital step in helping those living with dementia to have access to the support and services they need to live well, for longer,” Barbarino said in the press release. “Access to support and a care plan, including care at home and in community settings, at-home adaptations, and respite for carers, alongside medical treatments, are vital for people living with dementia, as well as their carers and family.” She added, “All people living with dementia in the Caribbean deserve access to the kinds of support and services a National Dementia Plan makes available. It’s their human right.” Barbarino said the organisation had talked to various government ministries dealing with health, age and social support in the Caribbean, and “while in some cases it can lead to progress, it is often too slow”. She added, “For a condition like dementia, time is of the absolute essence. People cannot wait. We need people from all over the Caribbean to speak up for people with dementia so that their governments might actually listen and act.” While some progress has been made in developing national dementia plans in the Caribbean, Barbarino says that a lack of funding for these plans means many communities are missing out. “A National Dementia Plan is a government’s best tool for preparing for this looming global health crisis,” she said. “Despite some progress to develop plans in a few Caribbean nations, without adequate funding to implement them, these plans are laying unused on the desks of bureaucracy across the region – more empty promises, and blunt tools.” Alzheimer’s Disease International notes that research has found that the greatest risk factors for dementia in the Caribbean include cardiovascular health, diabetes, family history and older age. Campaign laments lack of resources for dementia sufferers Above are the countries participating in the 'What's Your Plan' campaign, including National Dementia Plan status and prevalence forecasts. - Source: The Lancet , via Alzheimer's Disease International cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023 31234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 A large flatfish (7) 5 Formal written dissertation (5) 8 First principles of subject (9) 9 Extremity (3) 10 Gape (4) 12 Funny (8) 14 Frightened (6) 15 Stage in intensity (6) 17 Endowed with genius (8) 18 Cunning (4) 21 A forest tree (3) 22 Lacking information (2,3,4) 24 Unforeseen difficulty (5) 25 Uncommitted (7) DOWN 1 Robust (5) 2 Boy (3) 3 Dull heavy blow (4) 4 Language (6) 5 Ignore the claims of (4,4) 6 Musical medley (9) 7 Retaliatory retort (7) 11 True state of things (5,4) 13 Diabolical (8) 14 Green leaf vegetable (7) 16 Defeated (6) 19 Country bumpkin (5) 20 South American country (4) 23 Earth’s atmosphere (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17225 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 17225 ACROSS: 1 Halibut, 5 Paper, 8 Rudiments, 9 Tip, 10 Yawn, 12 Humorous, 14 Scared, 15 Degree, 17 Inspired, 18 Wily, 21 Ash, 22 In the dark, 24 Hitch, 25 Neutral. DOWN: 1 Hardy, 2 Lad, 3 Bump, 4 Tongue, 5 Pass over, 6 Potpourri, 7 Riposte, 11 What’s what, 13 Devilish, 14 Spinach, 16 Beaten, 19 Yokel, 20 Peru, 23 Air. Anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts mark the growing mental ill-health problem in the Cayman Islands. Government must address mental illness among the people. The Cayman Islands government has enacted laws promoting responsible firearm ownership in the Islands. Dr. Mark Lockhart, who recently resigned as chairman of the Mental Health Commission, should be appointed to help the Cayman community understand and address the problems of mental illness. Nan Socolow Construction for 50M pool could start by December All it took was a Cayma- nian taking a gold medal at the Worlds... shameful really. Alex Davies Yup. It’s about time. Wonder what we can do with proper train- ing facilities? Eden Hurlston That skateboarding facility need some TLC also. Robert Bushy Bush Will there be springboards and high diving platforms? Would be excellent to being that sport to our shores! Tawnie Fariñez A multi-million-dollar swim- ming pool on an island. Someone is a fundraising genius. Still Small Yes, but we can build the largest pickleball clubhouse and courts in the Caribbean at the drop of a hat! Andrew Bodden Because that’s privately funded! Sophie Prior Great! We also need a basket- ball arena. Kaseen Penn Now look at all the negative comments. We are a sad set. Alliecia Rhone Great, and so much talent within the public schools. Let’s hope that the kids can get another slot to practise than the 6am one (and that’s before they have to go to school). Jan Taylor Animal charities warn of ‘overrun’ feral cat population amid new rules There has to be a humane way to keep the numbers down. We are now seeing 12 cats in our area, seeing less and less native birds and lizards. Owners of dogs, unless they are breeders, should be made to neuter their dogs also. We have a pack of four dogs chasing one female in George Town, across busy roads; an accident waiting to happen. Please don’t hate me for these comments but cats/dogs can have litters at a very young age. We are creating the problem by not controlling them. As for the chickens, have you seen price of eggs in the stores, and you say we can’t raise a couple? Sarah Curtis So disgusted! Next they will be killing all the cats like they are doing in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac! Cara La Scala-Bongiovanni So, am I reading this correctly – people can be fined for feeding feral cats? A lot of cats are used to being fed. If they’re not fed, they are going to be starving and go after the wildlife, but likely starve to death. How does this make any sense at all? So inhumane. Debbie Ebanks Funny how the wild dogs are not culled after two years of ter- rible killing of pet cats in their own yard. Nobody helped those plagued by wild packs of dogs or unleashed dogs. It’s just cats that are bad, I guess. Maybe if persons with pets were more responsible. They need to respect neighbours and wildlife. Spay and keep your pet in its own yard... Then we don’t [need] cull any precious animals. Shannon Haueter Waterfront tourism project moves ahead as bids invited Let’s cross our fingers hoping the architects who submit [bids] will be influenced by tradi- tional Caymanian-style design/ architecture. Tourists and our residents want to see and experi- ence our traditional culture. It is fading, fast, as a mirage. Other Caribbean/West Indian coun- tries have preserved theirs. Patricia Bryan Leave Government House where it is, and Governors Beach as is – one of the few beaches that’s not covered in beach chairs! Sarah Curtis Government should tackle mental illness What they’re saying pic of the day High flyers A flock of snowy egrets got a bird’s-eye view of the cricket pitch by the junction of Smith Road and Huldah Avenue in George Town. Photographed in full flight by Seaford Russell Jr, these birds, which fall under the family Ardeidae that has 72 recognised species, make for a dramatic shot. They are fairly common in North and South America, most often along the coast, according to the Merlin Bird ID phone app created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These birds prefer wetland habitats, especially shallow marshy pools and mudflats, and provide a good reason for people to look to the sky. Online Letters to the editor cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023cayman compass 5 WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023 Make good health your resolution for 2023. Book a consultation with Dr Kayes at Cayman Surgical Group today. (345) 945-8380 As part of our expanding partnerships with international board- certified experts and fellowship-trained physicians, we are thrilled to announce the newest member to join our team: Urologist Dr Oliver Kayes. Dr Kayes brings 20 years of clinical experience to CSG, helping patients across all areas of urology. He is globally recognized as an expert in men’s health concerns, infertility, benign prostate conditions, reconstructive surgery, and male sexual dysfunction. Dr Kayes is motivated to deliver clinical innovation and first- class care to his patients in Cayman and across the Caribbean. World-class Urology is here at Cayman Surgical Group. CSG Kayes Ad-03.indd 1CSG Kayes Ad-03.indd 12023-01-04 4:53 PM2023-01-04 4:53 PMWEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023 Eziethamae Bodden is recognised for her community work. IRIS STONER istoner@compassmedia.ky Under cloudy skies, which kept those in attendance cool, Cayman celebrated National Heroes Day Monday, honouring ‘Volunteerism and Charitable Services’. More than 200 individuals and organisations were recognised at the ceremony, which celebrated awardees as Early Pioneer, Pioneer, Philanthropist and Charitable Services. Premier Wayne Panton and Minister of Culture Bernie Bush jointly presented the awards, which comprised a commemorative insignia and certificate, to the 206 honourees under the four categories, with family members and representatives standing in for those who could not attend or were recognised posthumously. In addition, Governor Martyn Roper took part in his last National Heroes Day ceremony, as he and his wife, Lissie, are scheduled to leave Cayman at the end of March, with Jane Owen taking up the post in April. Ahead of presenting the awards, Bush spoke of the importance of this year’s theme. Noting this marked the 20th anniversary of National Heroes Day, he said he was extremely proud “to celebrate the achievements of our volunteers and charitable services”. He added that under the theme for this year’s ceremony, “we recognise the commitment volunteers and not-for-profit organisations have shown in our community”, and stressed that these individuals and groups “give of their time, energy and talents for free, all for the betterment of these three islands we call home. Motivated by their desire to help uplift the lives of others, their work is largely unsung.” He explained that the two main categories for this year’s awards were selected to be able to include both individuals and charitable services, so it was Reba Dilbert receives her Pioneer award from Minister of Culture Bernie Bush and Premier Wayne Panton. National Heroes Day National Heroes Day Susan A. Olde was named in the category of Philanthropist as an individual who has donated more than $1 million to charitable services. Governor Martyn Roper, with members of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, arrives at the ceremony. Flag-waving school children took part in the event. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 13» Volunteers and charities honoured at Several uniformed services were on parade at the ceremony. Frank Flowers was among those honoured on National Heroes Day. cayman compass news N news 6cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023 35 PEOPLE. 1 COMMON VALUE. DEDICATION. TO THEIR TEAM. TO THEIR CAREER. TO DART. Dart is honoured to congratulate and thank these 35 individuals for their 415 collective years of experience and long-standing dedication to the Dart organisation. At Dart, we provide a meaningful and fulfilling work environment for our people - they are at the core of our business, they are the cornerstone of our success. dart.ky Miriam Berry 15 YEARS Carmen Ebanks 20 YEARS Aimee Bush 15 YEARS Danielle Downs 15 YEARS Ben Cullen 15 YEARS Ravi Campbell 15 YEARS Deborah Stacey 15 YEARS John Santiago 15 YEARS Dean Wragg 15 YEARS Molly Morales 15 YEARS Jenni Huys 15 YEARS Alfred Williams 15 YEARS Shannon Connolly 10 YEARS Derrie Boggess 10 YEARS Simon Artuch 10 YEARS Silvestre Boongaling 10 YEARS Steven Clark 10 YEARS Davina Ebanks 10 YEARS Nadine Hayle 10 YEARS Doris De La Cruz 10 YEARS Susan Jones 10 YEARS Finley Josephs 10 YEARS Naphtale Nunes 10 YEARS John Middleton 10 YEARS Aileen Sargent 10 YEARS Gabrielle Wheaton 10 YEARS Arnelio Triana 10 YEARS Tito Solomon 10 YEARS Shannon Schmidt 10 YEARS Millie Andrade-Valle 10 YEARS Dominic Ross 10 YEARS Naomi Reid 10 YEARS Robert Weekley 10 YEARS Jim Verano 10 YEARSNORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky The National Roads Authority is inviting members of the public to two town hall meetings, in North Side and Savannah next month to give updates on the next part of the East-West Arterial extension plan, which will encroach on the Central Mangrove Wetlands. At the meetings, NRA representatives will discuss the next two planned sections of the road – from Woodland Drive to Lookout Road, and from Lookout Road to Frank Sound Road – as well as the terms of reference for an environmental impact assessment of the project. Work is already under way along another section of the expanded highway, connecting Hirst Road to Woodland Drive. In 2016, the National Conservation Council stated that an EIA would be required for the 10-mile extension because it would “traverse a substantial area of wetland habitat along the entire length of the southern perimeter of the Central Mangrove Wetland”. Opponents to the project say the road will not only negatively impact the wetlands, but will inevitably bring more construction and housing developments, leading not just to more traffic congestion, but to more environmental ramifications in the area. Meetings in North Side and Savannah The first of the two public meetings will be held at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre, 923 North Side Road, North Side, from 6pm to 9pm, on Tuesday, 7 Feb. The second meeting will be at the church hall of the Cayman Islands Baptist Church, 163 Pedro Castle Road, Savannah, from 6pm to 9pm on Thursday, 9 Feb. Representatives from the National Roads Authority and their EIA consulting team will be in attendance to provide information about the project, and answer questions from the audience. The terms of reference, which will guide how the EIA will be carried out, are not yet publicly available but will be posted on the Department of Environment’s website on 30 Jan., after which they will be available for review for 21 calendar days. Comments on the EIA terms of reference can be submitted in writing to the Environmental Assessment Board, c/o the Department of Environment via email (DOE@gov. ky), post (DoE, PO Box 10202, KY1-1002), or hand delivery to the DoE office at 580 North Sound Road, George Town. Public meetings to be held on East-West Arterial plans • NRA Office 370 North Sound Road, Grand Cayman • North Side Post Office 896 Northside Road, North Side • Bodden Town Post Office 189 Bodden Town Road, Bodden Town • Savannah Post Office - 1687 Shamrock Road, Savannah • Vernon L. Jackson Public Library and Learning Centre 69 Bodden Town Road, Bodden Town • East End Public Library 2739 Sea View Road, East End Further expansion of the East-West Arterial Highway is planned. - Photo: Andrel Harris Printed copies of the EIA terms of reference will also be available for review at the following locations: cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023 Customer Notice Effective Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Tortuga Rum Company Ltd. (both locations on North Sound Road in George Town and Batabano Plaza in West Bay) will no longer be collecting payments on behalf of CUC as a Remote Payment Agent. Customers are reminded that they can pay their electricity bills online through MyCUC or visit any of our other Remote Payment Agents listed on our website at www.cuc-cayman.com. The Environmental Management System at the North Sound Road Power Plant is registered to ISO 14001 Tampering with Utility Poles CUC reminds the public not to tamper with any equipment attached to its utility poles or transmission lines. This includes the yellow guy wire guards located at the base of the guy wires (pole stabilizers). These guards have been specifically placed there to identify the guy wires and guy rods. On a number of occasions, members of the public have tampered with these guards and when clearing land, certain operators have loosened these guy wires from the guy rods causing transmission lines on the utility pole to become slack. This is a dangerous practice which could result in service interruption or more importantly, injury to the public. Only authorised CUC employees and contractors are permitted to install, remove or otherwise work on the Company’s utility poles. If you have any queries, please contact our Customer Service Team at 949-5200 or via e-mail at service@cuc.ky.JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Like a lot of people locked indoors during the pandemic, Adam and Louisa Sax found themselves vicariously travelling to distant shores as they binge watched hit show ‘Below Deck’. The surprisingly addictive reality television show about luxury yachts has made celebrities of glamorous guests and catty crew members from Fort Lauderdale to Fiji. But when they sat down to watch the latest episode at their South Sound home on Monday, 23 Jan., there were a handful of new characters to run the rule over – themselves and their friends. “I’m not too nervous,” Louisa said, almost to herself, as she watched between the splayed fingers of her hands, as her on-screen image was welcomed aboard. “OK, I am a little bit nervous.” Adam and Louisa and six of their friends were guests aboard the luxury yacht St David for three days sailing in the shadow of St Lucia’s forested Piton mountains in February last year. They wore microphones and were followed by camera crews for the whole trip. Aside from the stunning backdrops, the show derives its drama from the tensions between the wealthy guests and the hardworking crew, below deck, as they scrub plates and decks, and scramble to deliver five-star service round the clock. Demanding, or ungrateful, guests make the best villains, but Adam and his brother Alessandro, both Cayman residents, originally from Toronto, appeared unruffled about the prospect. “I think they liked us,” said Adam, though he admitted to a few nerves about the edit. A text from a friendly cast member – the second stewardess or ‘stew’ on the boat, Alissa – wasn’t exactly reassuring. The gist of it was, ‘don’t worry how it comes out, we loved you guys’. With the right, or wrong, editor, three days of footage can be shaped to tell almost any story and the brothers racked their brains for anything they might have said that could be misrepresented. “It’s too late now, we are all in,” Alessandro acknowledged as the opening credits rolled. The end result, at least after the first episode, was ‘all clear’ on the embarrassment front. There was a minor controversy over who poured the soup at dinner. Then there was a guest, plugging in her ear pods to dance to her own tune as a 10-course tasting menu dragged on. And there were a few moments of tension over the culinary demands of Louisa, who was 26 weeks pregnant at the time. “I think they wanted me to be a bit meaner about the service,” Adam reflected. In the end, he is pictured stressing about how hard the crew seems to be working and offering to help. ‘Treated like kings’ Being on the show was a hastily hatched plan that came together quickly for Adam and his friends. In the parlance of the show – Adam was the ‘primary’ – the main guest whose ‘preference sheet’ was the blueprint for the chef and crew to cater to his and his guests’ every whim. “The whole experience was cool,” he said, “We were treated like kings for three days. “I thought it would be a lot more produced but they just told us to treat the yacht like it was our own and do our own thing.” After a short while, he said, the ubiquitous camera crews faded into the background and they were able to relax and enjoy the beauty of St Lucia. Louisa said they had watched series after series of the addictive show during COVID and beyond. “We’ve seen all of the seasons in the Med and the Caribbean. We are pretty die-hard, so I was so excited to meet the crew for the first time. We had to try not to be groupies.” Adam, who is a serial entrepreneur and has founded multiple tech companies, said they had considered hiring a yacht, and decided it would be fun to blend the vacation with the chance to go on the show. The producers greenlit their appearance pretty quickly and they put together a group of friends – Alessandro, Bianca, Jonathan, Imogen, Melanie and Justin – for the trip. “It was a special experience. I think we came out of it OK so far” said Bianca after watching the first episode. “We will see how it goes next week.” Some of the moments the group were most worried about missed the cut, as the editors focused on the crew drama and the firing of ‘deck-stew’ Camille on the morning of their arrival. With the next episode set to air Monday, 30 Jan., on Bravo at 8pm, the final worry is the tip. Guests on board are known for tipping big and every episode features unvarnished takes from the crew on what they felt about the generosity or otherwise of the group. Adam said he had used what was given on previous seasons as a barometer, although this year some celebrity guests have upped the ante. “We thought we tipped really well, so I hope they are happy,” said Adam. Adam and Louisa Sax on deck in St Lucia. The St David in St Lucia. The guests were treated like kings. Four of the group watch the episode on Monday, 23 Jan. Cayman friends make onscreen splash in ‘Below Deck’ Living the high life: Louisa Sax and friends aboard the luxury yacht St David in St Lucia. - Photo: Submitted cayman compass 9 news N news WEEKLY, 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2023Next >